Investigation is still underway to determine who is at fault for a fatal car accident in June involving a Walmart supply truck and well-known actor Tracy Morgan. The deadly crash, which left one dead and several others injured, occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike when a Walmart truck driver rear-ended Morgan’s vehicle while traveling 20 mph over the speed limit.
Morgan has since filed a lawsuit against Walmart citing negligence on behalf of the big box store for not complying with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations.
Morgan’s claim was made after evidence revealed the Walmart employee and driver of the truck, Kevin Roper, was speeding at 20mph over the limit and had not slept for more than 24 hours, a direct violation of safety regulations.
As of Tuesday, September 30th, Walmart has responded to Morgan’s claim with a request for a trial by jury, suggesting that the injuries caused in the car accident were actually a result of the plaintiffs’ failure to wear seatbelts. As a result, Walmart has also suggested that neither the company nor its employees should be held responsible for damages which were caused by third parties, however due to the ongoing National Transportation Safety Board investigation, Walmart did not directly address the claims regarding Roper.
This is a firm reminder that sometimes, even when you think you know who is at fault for your car accident and you assume you will simply get the damages you deserve, you still need to go through the legal process to do so, and it’s not always a straightforward affair.
If you have been injured in a car accident in the Rockville, Bethesda or greater Maryland area, contact the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick at (301) 251-1286 to schedule a consultation with our experienced car accident attorney.